Harold Raymond Battiste Jr. (October 28, 1931 – June 19, 2015)[1] was an American music composer, arranger, performer, and teacher.

A native of, and later community leader in, New Orleans, he is best known for his work as an arranger on records by Barbara George, Sam Cooke, Joe Jones, Lee Dorsey, Sonny and Cher, Dr. John, and others.

[4] Within a few months, they produced a million-selling hit single, Barbara George’s "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" (AFO#302).

[3] Battiste introduced audiences to New Orleans artist Mac Rebennack as Dr. John, and produced his earliest albums.

[7] Battiste was also a lecturer at several colleges, and in 1989, he joined Ellis Marsalis Jr. on the Jazz Studies faculty of the University of New Orleans.